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Saturday, November 08, 2008

Today I attended the opening of an exhibition 'erotic' being held at the Leyton Gallery. Despite the rainy skies, it bustled and while the door sign warned that minors under 18 would not be admitted, I thought there was little in the show that would offend. Iakov Afanassiev had let me know the exhibition was opening today and he had half a dozen or so very well painted nudes hanging.

Steven Clarke had written a piece in Report on Business for The Globe and Mailon Bonnie Leyton and the gallery back in May, studying how marketing can push the gallery forward to the next step for success. I found the final synopsis of the article summed up advice that, while directed towards this particular gallery, would be useful to any artist or business owner.

Trends

Diversify

Visibility

Networking

I can see how each point reflects back to me and the direction I'm taking. In the current economic climate, these points make perfect sense because without watching the world around you, diversifying your work in terms of price ranges, increasing visibility through marketing and presence, whether virtual or real as well as networking with people and galleries, you will likely be left behind.

All are good jumping off points to consider for # 3 on my list - Marketing.

Friday, November 07, 2008

I'm now officially installed in my new studio and am christening it by starting a small painting. This is the first task on my list of 'getting serious' that has been completed and it buoys me to move ahead on the other tasks in my list and put art into the space in my life where it should be. Task two is to create a body of work and I have plans that I'm putting into place around that. More later.

Being in the new studio is quiet as I'm isolated from the rest of the house pretty much, being a bit in limbo between the basement and the main floor of the house. The access to the studio can be through the back door which, aside from 3 steps into the back porch is all on the same level. However, I prefer and need quiet to paint or draw so that suits me.

The studio is a bit too tidy right now, but I'm sure I'll be able to give it that 'lived in' look before very long. I have another piece of furniture to go into here yet, but am not sure where it will go yet. Its an old filing cabinet. It has several drawers and compartments, very 194os, all wood and brass fittings.

The drafting table that I bought a couple of years ago at a steal of a price takes up quite a bit of room, but is very functional. I can't believe I got this professional drafting table for just $50! Keep an eye on architects firms that are closing up...you never know what they want to get rid of quickly.All I need now are some clip strips on the wall to attach drawings, a few nails to hang paintings to dry and I'm all set. Bring on the inspiration!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

There's nothing like a challenge to push me into action so when this invitation arrived in my inbox I decided to take part and have just paid for my sketchbook to be sent to me. I'll have until February 15, 2009 to send the Moleskine back to Art House. The theme for this third international sketchbook project is 'everyone we know' and it can be interpreted however you wish.

The Sketchbook Project Exhibition2,000 sketchbooks will be sent out, completed and returned then exhibited in 6major cities in the USA. The deadline to sign up is 08.01.09

These are the smaller brown cover Moleskines so I should be able to fill it out with sketches without too much trouble.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

This new studio must be conducive to work, despite the fact that I have my laptop here too!

I finished the study for the second 'Mouths' piece and am starting to transfer it to a large sheet of paper and get going on it tomorrow.

I'm also sourcing out mouth studies. I can to some degree do self portraits of my mouth and others I know, but its kind of strange asking people to make funny faces while I photograph their mouth. So if anyone would like to donate some images of mouths and have them put into my series, just email me.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

I want to do a series of mouths. I want them detailed, realistic and large - 22 x 30. I'll draw them in charcoal I think as I have a decent control of that medium. This may be the start of the body of work that's on my 'to do' list.

I will work out what I want in terms of mouths, shapes, etc in small studies in graphite first, such as this one. Its the start of a detailed lip study. Its almost like drawing mountains, quite fascinating.

And, for the good news, I am writing this from my new studio! Yes, I have enough of my stuff here to set up shop and get going. Here's a teaser glimpse into the room.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

I haven't been outside the door for two days. The weekend has whipped past and every minute's been filled with something. It will almost be good to go back to work to slow down in some ways!

With a full time job I try to pack so very much into a weekend - too much usually - and it can turn what should be a relaxing couple of days off into something stressful. But I did make progress this weekend.

The flooring is 99% complete in the new studio and I can start sorting and moving my art supplies into the new space over the next couple of days - well, nights. So that's #1 on my list coming to fruition. I'll say that by the end of the week or before, I'll be up and running in the new space and able to make some real progress on projects that are in my head and on bits of paper scattered over my drafting table. Photos will be shown, I promise.

The fall back in time of an hour went unnoticed by me this morning as my bodyclock ensured I was up at 6, even if the clock said it was 5. That gave me some extra time to work on the little painting of the puppies. I persevered with the acrylics and have decided that I prefer oils, even if the clean up is not as simple. I could not

I couldn't get a decent photo of this painting today, even with tweaking on Photoshop, so this is about as good as it gets right now. Thanks Maggie for letting me use a great reference photo to paint!

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About Me

Traditional line and form and the world of representational art have been my comfort zone, especially in dry media. My early years were dedicated to traditional drawing. The transition to colour was an easy one and aquatic subject matter presented itself through my interest in gyotaku – fish printing. Water, boats and reflective surfaces become daily subjects for me and endless source of inspiration.
I teach drawing, painting and gyotaku privately and through workshops.